House Of Commons
Monday, March 26, 1804.
Minutes
The bill for increasing the capital Stock of the Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, was read a third time, and passed.—Sir G. Cornewall brought in a bill for the prevention of Bribery in the Borough of Aylesbury, and making several' regulations, respecting Elections in that Borough in future. Read a first, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday, the 16th of April next.—Sir John Newport stated, that he had moved for the production of certain public accounts on the 2 d of Feb. last. These accounts had not yet been presented, and he therefore renewed his motion, "That there be forthwith laid before the House accounts of any and what sums that have been raised by Grand Juries and paid into the hands of the Treasurers of Counties, Counties of Cities or Towns in Ireland, towards the support of Houses of Industry in the years 1801, 2, and 3, respectively." Ordered.—A person from the General post Office presented Accounts of the amount of Money received by the different Postmasters within the last year, and the balance now remaining m their hands. Ordered to be printed.—The annual accounts of the London flour company were presented, and ordered to lie on the table.—An account of the Distribution, of Two Million Pounds sterling, which was voted in the last session towards the service of the year, was presented, and ordered to he on the table—A Petition was presented from certain inhabitants of the Borough of Chippenham, stating that a Select Committee had decided on the case of
the late contested Election for that Borough, on principles which they with deference conceived to be materially different from the ancient usage of that Borough, and praying that they might be heard by their Counsel on that head. The petition was ordered to be taken into consideration on Tuesday, the 8th of May.—Mr. Dent gave notice, that he would, after the recess, move, that the House take into its consideration the situation of the Holders of Loyalty Loan Debentures.—The order of the day being read for going into a Committee on the Irish Militia Families Bill, a short conversation ensued between Mr. Foster and Mr. Corry, respecting the allowances to be made to the families of the militia-men, after which, the Bill went through the Committee, and the report was ordered to be received to-morrow.—Mr. Kinnard having, adverted shortly to the paper, containing the account of the Distribution of Grants for the year 1803, moved, "That there be laid before: the House an account of the sums at present remaining in the Exchequer; and the sums to be raised, distinguishing the different heads." Agreed to.—Mr. Corry moved, "That there be laid-before the House, an account of all Salaries and Pensions on the Irish Establishment, paid at par in England, from Jan. 1803to Jan. 1804, which account was afterwards presented, and ordered to be printed.
Bankers' Indemnity Bill
On the order being read for the House resolving itself into a Committee on the Banker's. Indemnity bill,
moved, that it be an instruction to the Committee that they make a provision to extend the time of hearing appeals on surcharges made under the Property Tax.
objected to the whole principle of the bill. He was of opinion, that many innocent persons would suffer by the passing of such a law; as they would not be able to make their returns within the proper time in many instances, where they resided at a distance in the country. It would be more regular for the agent, when he got his dividend warrant, to go into another office, pay the assessment, and: obtain a certificate accordingly. If the principals had any claim to exemptions, they should prefer such claim themselves.
observed, that the bill only went to the prevention of an evil, which it never was the intention of government that the parties should suffer. If the measure was not adopted, the greatest inconvenience would ensue in transacting the business in the manner which the hon. member had described, lie then asked the right nun. the Secretary of Stale if any oilier alteration was not intended to be made after the holidays.
declared, that he was not at present aware, of any such measure being in the contemplation of his Majesty's ministers. If, however, any sufficient ground was stated, some other regulation might be adopted in the course of the session.—The bill was then passed through the Committee, the report received, and the bill ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
King's Message
placed himself at the bar of the House, and presented the following message from his Majesty, viz. "G.R. His Majesty thinks proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the several regiments of the Militia of Ireland have made a voluntary tender of their services to be employed in Great Britain, during the war, his Majesty has received with great satisfaction this striking proof of their affection and attachment toward his person and government, and of their patriotic zeal for the general interests of his United Kingdom; and conceiving that his being enabled to avail himself of this distinguished instance of public spirit may be attended with the most important advantages at the present con-juncture, he recommends it to his faithful Commons to adopt such regulations as may enable him to accept the services of such parts of the militia forces of Ireland as may voluntarily offer themselves to be employed in Great Britain, for such time and to such extent, as to the wisdom of Parliament may seem expedient."—The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved that the message be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, on which day he wished to give notice that his right hon. friend, unless prevented by indisposition, would state to the House the measures proposed to be adopted for increasing the military force of the country.